Lead-pencil.



C. R. KBERANQ v LEAD PENCIL.

APPLICATION FILBD 00T.1o, 191s.

Patented Mar. 9, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

5,1m mm MN MN \N Q MN LIQNAWRM.. mW.

C. R. KEERAN.

LEAD PENCIL.

APPLICATION FILED ooT.1o,-191s.

Patented Mar. 9, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

CHARLES R. KEERAN, 0F BLOOMINGTON, ILLINOIS.

LEAD-PENCIL.

mamar.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 9, 1915.

Application led October 10, 1913. Serial No. 794,508.

To all whom'z't may concern t Be it known that I, CHARLES R. KEERAN, acitizen of the United States, residing at Bloomington, in the county ofMcLean and State yof Illinois, have invented certain. new

and useful Improvements in Lead-Pencils, ofwhich the following is aspecification.

The present invention relates to that form of pencil employing apermanent body or casing into which individual leads are in serted fromtime to vtime as may be desired, the leads being forced out from theforward end of the body or casing by suitable means.

The objects of the present invention are to provide a device of theclass described which will be siniple of construction and operation andcontain "no involved or intricate parts which would'bel likely to becomedisordered or imperfect in ordinary usage; to so arrange the partscomprising the pencil as to provide a magazine for extra leads whichwill be contained within the body of the pencil, and to utilize thismagazine as an actuating member formoving the followeru which forces thelead from' the end of the pencil; to so arrange the parts as to preventa breaking of the lead when a new lead is placed in position; to socorrelate the parts as to provide an indicator for determining thelength of lead left within the pencil; to provide means for centeringand alining the lead with the follower during the recharging operation,and to maintain such aline ment during use; to so arrange the parts asto have the lead forced through and out of the body thereof at all timesby a pressure directed against the longitudinal center thereof, and thuseliminate any and all side strains or vpressures against the lead whichwould tend to break the same; to prevent the lead from being forced backin theholder by pressure on the point, except by frst withdrawing thefollower; and to use the interior portions o f the pencil as a fillerfor the outer-sheathing or casing which permits the use .of a thin shellof the finer metals for said sheathing without subjecting them to thedanger of mutilation during usage by .the forward portion plane atapproximately right angles to the plane inwhich the first section istaken; F1g. 3 is a section on line 3 3 of Fig. 1, looking in thedirection of the arrow; Fig. f1 1s a section on line 4-4 of Fig. 1,looking 1n the direction of the arrow; Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig.1 on a somewhat reduced scale, and showing the follower member advanced,and the magazine member and actuating member pulled out from the casing,this view illustrating the mannerv in which the position of the partsgives an indication of theamount of lead yremaining in the pencil; Fig.6 is a detail showing the magazine member initsinitial stages' offormation; Fig. 7 is a detail showing the magazine member after it hasbeen rolled to give it the elongated formation in cross section; Fig. 8is a perspectiveof the magazine member 1n completed form; Fig. 9 is across section illustrating a modied form' 'of magazine; Fig. modifiedform of magazine; Fig. 11 is 'an enlarged sectionof the end of lsaidmagazine; Fig. 12 is a detail of the cap pieee'for said magazine; andFig.;13 isa. detail section of the plug'for holding the eraser.

Referring nowto the drawings, the pencil, as illustrated, comprises a'noutersheathing or shell 10 which is drawn toa' taper at thisl forwardend 11. This 'sheathing orvs'hell may be of any suitable material; andmay be in the'nature of a relatively thin sheathing if made of the finermetals, such as gold or silver, but may, of course, be made of anysuitable material and of any suitable design or size. vThis sheathingor' shell forms a chambered body'which receives whatV may be termed theinterior ortionsor parts of the pencill A core or filler 12 ispositioned in of this chambered interior. This core is preferably madeof some suitable fibrous material, and is formed with an axial bore13which is contracted at its forward end 14 giving a sliding t to thelead through the major portion of the bore therein with a clutchingengagement upon the lead at the contracted outer end of the bore. The.core, as illustrated, has its forward end 15 projectingslightlybeyondthev end of the sheathing or casing 10.

The lead 16 which passes through the bore in the core is preferably of asmall diameter or gage, and is of such a nature as to give at all timesa suitable writing point without 10 is an elevation of another proper-size In usage,'it'is'preferred not to-have this lead taper of.theforward end of the necessity of sharpening the same; that i's,ther-normal diameter Yof the lead 1s o f a to constitute awriting point.

tends from the rear. end 20 of the shellor casing vto the rear end .ofthe filler 12,1 and abuts against the-filler. This tube or sleeve 19 isfitted litly into the shellor' casing,

and is not, fin er normal operation, intended to betremvable freni saidshell, and is in effect aportion of the shell, and when the finer gradesof metal aref used for theshell or'sheathi'ng, this sleeve 'serves toreinforce the same. :This sleeve is formed with an interior'. threadedsurface 21 extending from end to end thereof, -and the sleeve, wheninserted, maintains the ller 12 its' proper position within the casing..l

The means, illustrated as constituting the follower which forces end ofthepencil, through ,the bore or pas-` sage 13, consistsof a member 22 inthe nature of a stiff w1re, ywhich member termiin, effect,

nates at its: rear end in an enlarged head 23 which, as best shown :inFigs. 2, 3, and 4, is of an elongated form in cross section. This headis formed exteriorly with threaded sur- 'faces.24-adapted. to mesh withthe threads `21 of the sleevea19." It is obvious, as'this head isrotated, that it will advance through- `.the sleeve y19,A and forcel thefollower' for'-,v

ward, with the -result that the lead is fedout age is'obviated.- `Thisfeature .of-` the invenfrom the end of the pencil.

v The means ,forturnin the head comprisesa hollow shell-like mem r 25.which. f9rn 1s,' a magazine for carrying extra. leads for the pencil.This magazine in its pre-L- ferred form is constructed from a tube 23,

and the methodof making the same 1s briefly asfollows The tube isfirst'cut to form an opening 27, and opposite said opening isformed'adepression 28. The wall o f theI tube is provided'at the center of thede pression with an opening 29of a size to allow the follower to pass"therethrough. The tube is then subjected vto a rolling operation whichflattens it out so as to give itv the elongated arcuate formationclearly shown in Figs.r 3;^4,and8. .The tube, after being subjected totliefrolling operation, is

k construction illustrated, an :innerv sleeve vor 'tubing'19' isprovided which exf.

the lead out Afromtlie shown in Fig.' 7, and after this operation it isbent at -the point wherethe opening 27 is cut, so'that companionmagazine members 29 and 30v are finally produced which are joinedtogether by the depression 28. lThis depression gives at the point ofjuncture of v the two sections a funnel-shaped surface 31,

the function of which is to center the lead 16 in alinement with thefollower member, and is formed in the forwardend of the lmagazinefforthe following reason: The bore 13,-isfdesignediso that the lead has afree passage therethrough until positioned in the-same; that is, thelead will not yengage 'I with'the contracted portion 14: of the boreuntil the -rear end of thellead has-'passed beyond the rear end' of the"bore 13 and the lead fully `positioned in the .bore of the filler; thusthe follower 22 and .the lead 16 I will bewithin the bore 13 before anyAma terial'pressure is-exerted to force the` lead through the contraction14.I -Consequently, thebore' 13 holds'the follower 22 and lead 16 inproper alinement as Y the head is forced yforward,'but it is possiblethat in `operation -1 the' bore through the filler may become slightlyclogged or choked, in which'case the lead, when dropped into place,would not pass into the boreA the distance intended,

and the rear end -of the -lead would project.

out beyond the rear end ofthe filler. (Then when the magazineis insertedin its place, v

it might happen Athatthe forward end of the same` would hit the lead,bending it .,sidewise and brealn'ng it, but by providing the conicaldepression 31 a guiding'means is provided, whereby the lead, if engagedby the forward end ofthe magazine, will be forcedto the center ofthemagazine and into'alinement with the opening 298; and thus the followermember will engage d irectly with the rear end of the lead' and force''it forward through the bore as `the magazine is forced into place byadirect pressure longitudinally thereof. In this waythe lead is notsubjected to any side stresses 'orf strain and the danger of breaktionisi particularly important especially when a lead of small diameter orgage is utilized. j.

As will be seen from Figs. 2, 3, and 4, the' head 2 4 of thefollowerwill be positioned so las lto lie between the magazine sections29 and 30, but, of course, will project beyond said section a-sutlicient .distance to enable 'the threads on. said head to engagewith the threads on the tube 19. I'The magazine portion has both aturning and sliding lit with in said tube, and the magazineis-formed-of'4 isc nagegaaof the pencil, should the pencil be turnedupside down. This frictionis not sullicient to prevent a free turningand sliding movement of the magazine within the tube, whenever pressureis exerted tending to produce such movements.

The assembling of the follower and the lmagazine is very simple, simplyinvol-ving the placing of the end of the follower th-rough the hole 29aandthe springing of the head into position between the magazinesections. The rear ends of the magazine sections project throughsuitable openings 33 in a transverse wall 34 of a cup-shaped member 35.The outer periphery of this cup-shaped member may be of knurledformation, if desired. This cup-shaped member is of a diameter so thatit bears against the rear end of the outer shell or casing. The magazinemembers are intended to be lixedly secured in this cup-shaped member,which securance can be accomplished by any suitable means, as, forinstance, a drop of solder 36, as indicated in Fig. 2. Thus, with themagazine sections and cup-shaped member fixedly held together, arotative movement imparted to the cup-shaped member will obviously turnthe magazine sections within the tube19, and the magazine sections, inconjunction with the cup-shaped member, will thus constitutetheactuating means for the follower. The cup-shaped member to all intentsand purposes is a continuation of the magazine sections.

The interior of the cup-shaped member maybe threaded as at 37 and a plug38` inserted within said threaded portion. Said plug has formed at itsouter end inwardlyextending lugs or tines 39 and at its bottom isprovided with inwardly extending lugs or ears 39a. This plug is intendedto receive a rubber eraser 40 and when the eraser is inserted inposition within the plug it will rest against the lugs 39a. The plug, asshown, is slotted and hence when it is inserted in the cup-shaped memberit will be contracted to an extent thus embedding the tines 39 in thebody of the eraser and preventing displacement of the same from theplug. As shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, the ends of the magazine membersextend through the transverse wall 34, so that the leads 16 carried bysaid magazine member may be easily obtained by removing the plug 38 andtappin the pencil in a manner to cause them to s ide out of themagazine.

The method of assembling and the operation of the device is as follows:The filler 12 is first positioned within the casing 10; the sleeve 19 isthen inserted within the casing and forced in place so that the forwardend engages the rear end of the filler. rPhe magazine section is thentaken and the follower is placed through the opening 29a and the memberor head 23 sprung into position between the magazine sections. A lead isthen dropped into the interior of the pencil and will be guided into thebore 13 by the walls of the tapered openings 18. The assembled magazineand the follower is then pushed into the tube 19 until the threads ofthe member 23 engage the thread of the tube 19. Then by rotativemovement the magazine is turned, turning the head 23 which,-

by reason of its threads, .follows the threads of vthe sleeve 19 and'travels inward in the space between the magazine sections 29 and 30until the lead is forced out from the end of the pencil. When theexposed portion of the lead has been worn away by writing, thecup-shaped member 35 is turned, thereby actuating the follower andforcing more lead out'from the core or. filler. W'hen it is desiredtolretract the projected point of the lead, this can be readily done bygiving a slight backward turn to the cup-shaped or actuating member 35,and then by pushing on the end of the lead, it will be pushed back sothat no portion thereof will project.

Another feature of arranging the parts in the manner specified liesinthe fact that by so arranging them an indication can be obtained of theamount of lead remaining in the pencil. This is due to the fact thatthel distance between the inner face of the head 23, indicated by theletterA in the drawings, and the Wall of the magazine section in whichthe opening 29a is located, which wall is indicated bythe letter B inthe drawings, is, approximately equal to the initial length of the lead.Now as the lead is fed out, the head 23 approaches constantly nearer tothe cross Wall B, so that this distance decreases in proportion to thedecrease in length of the lead. Therefore, assuming the lead to havebeen worn to the extent shown in Fig. 5, the vhead 24 will have beenadvanced the distance indicated in said figure. Thus, the magazinesection can only be pulled out' distance of this retraction will beapproximately equal to the amount of lead left in the pencil, and thusby observing the dis.

tance between the inner face of the cupshaped member 35, indicated by Cin the drawings, and the outer' or rear ed 1e of the casing 10,indicated by D in the flarawings, you will have the exact amount of leadleft within the pencil. This distance will be the amount of retractionafforded the magazine section, and the amount of retraction will beequal to the amount of lead remaining in v directed solely non-rotativeretraction, because a rotative retraction will, of course, retract thehead at the lsaine time, and thus the indicating feature will then' belost.

In Fig. 9, 4av magazine 41 is illustrated which is based on the sameprinciple as the magazine-described,y with the exception that thev tube,from which the magazine is formed, is somewhat larger and is not bent atthe middle portion. r1`he head 42 in this one direction only, and hencehas only one threaded surface 43 which meshes with the Jthreads 19 ofthe'sleeve.. -This magazine, however, is used in the same manner 'as theforegoing, and accomplishes the same purposes and results.

The foregoing description is, of course, 'toward the constructionillustrated, and modifications, the

`the appended claims. l.

In F ig. 9, a modified form of magazine is shown, which corresponds inprincipleof in that itis provided with a closed o'uter cap-piece or headbe of a decorative nature. The lower ends ofthe magazine are rclosed bya cap-piece 5.1 consisting of abody 52, from which extend arms 53 lprovided with outwardly turned ends 54 arranged te catch and lie withinopenings`55 in the walls of the maga-V zine. `This cap-piece isremovable by forcing the ends 54-out of thehole 55, and by removing thecap piece'l new leads can be obtained. -This method of extractingthelead is necessitated owing tothe closing of the upper end of themagazine by the cappiece 50. Iclaim :1

1. In a lead pencil o f the class described, the combination of an outersheathing constituting a chambered body, a core piece within said'bodyextending partially the length thereof bore adapted-to receive a lead, afollower for forcing' said lead said followerbeing enlarged for aportion of the length thereof and exteriorly threaded on said enlargedvortion, a threaded surface located .interior y of the body, adapted toreceive the-threads on said head, a hollow l-member serving as' amagazine for leads, the outer end ofthe magazine abutting the 'inner endlof the core'when the lparts are assembled, ymeans for centering theabutting I edges ofthe magazine'and core, said magazine having a slidingand turning fit lwithin lead should the lead' 'through'said' bore,instance projects beyond the magazine inthe device is susceptible oflinvention nt being limited-in any other .way than by the terms of ,50which, if desired, can

and formedf'with anaxialv Athrough said bore,

said chambered portion, said magazine engaging the threaded portion ofthe follower,

and means located exteriorly of said casing for turning the magazine,substantially as described.

2. In a lead pencil of the class described, the combination of a body,acore piece within said body extending partially ,the length thereof, aninteriorly threaded sleeve within the body extending from the innerterminus of the core to-the rear end of the body, said core having anaxial bore adapted to receive a lead, a follower for forcing saidfollower being enlarged for a portion thereof, and exteriorly threadedto mesh with the threads on said sleeve, a magazine for leads, a slidingand turning said magazine engaging the threaded portions ofthe follower,and means exteriorly 'of said casing for turning the magazine,substantially 'as described.

3. In a lead pencil of thev class described, the combination of asheathing forming a chambered body, a core piece in said body said`magazine having 'extending partially the length thereof, and

providedl with an axial bore to receive a lead, a follower f or forcingthe lead 'through said bore embodying an exteriorly threadedhead, theinterior of said chamber being provided with 'a threaded surfaceforreceiving the threads on said head, a chambered magazine memberhaving a rotating and sliding t in said chamber and engaging said head,means `exteriorly of said sheathing for rotating said ber, said memberserving as a stop for limiting the non-rotative outward movement ofthemagazine member from the body, whereby the ,amount of retraction thusallowed the magazine gives an indication of the amount of lead remainingin thepencil, substantially as described.

4. In a lead pencil of the class described,

a hollow member serving asy fit within said sleeve,

magazine memthe combination of a sheathing forming a sheathing 'forturning said magazine portion, -substantially as described.

5. Inv a lead pencil of the class described, the combination of asheathing forming a chambered body, a'coi'e piece in said body extendingpartially the length thereof and provided with Yan,v axial vbore toreceive a lead, a follower for forcing the lead through the boreembodying an exteriorly threaded head, a'sleeve within said sheathing'provided with an interior thread with which the threads on the -headengage, said sleeve extending from the rear end of the core to the rearof the sheathing, a magazine com- .prising companion lmembers ofshell-like formation adapted to lie upon each side-of the head,"saidvmember having a slidable and rotatable fit `in saidsleeve, and meansexteriorly of said head for rotating said.

magazine, substantiallyas described.

6. In a lead pencil of theclass described,

Y the combination of a. sheathing forming a chambered body,

sliding and turning-tit therein,

chambered body,r a core piece in .said body provided Awith an axial boreto receive a lead, a follower for forcing the lead through the boreembodying an exteriorly threaded head, a magazine formed of a. singlepiece of tubing bent midway Aits longitudinal -dim'ension to providecompanion shell-like members adapted t'o lie'upon-opposite sides of saidhead, said tube at the point of ybending being provided with an'vopening through which the followenpasses, and said tube, when insertedwithin the chambered body, havinga a threaded surface within saidchambered portion adapted to receive-the threads on said head,

and means exteriorly of the shell for turning the magazine,substantially as described.

` 7. In a lead pencil of the class described, the combination of asheathing .forming a a core piece in said body provided with an axialbore to receive'a lead, a follower for forcing the -lead throughthe'boreembodying an eXteriorly threaded -head,a magazine comprising shell-likemembers arranged to lie upon opposite'sides of saidhead, said membershaving a slidable and rotatable fit in, said chambered portion, theouter end of the magazine portion'-` abuttin'gthe inner end of thelcore,said magav -zineat its abutting end being formed with a funnelshapedopening converging toward a point central'of said shell-like members andforming aI means for guiding the lead into the space between theshell-,like members, a threaded surface in said chamber for receivingthe threads on said head and means ex'teriorly ofsaid sheathing forturning' said magazine portion,- substantially as' 8. In a .lead pencilof the class described, -the combination of a sheathing formingachambered body, .a core piecein-said body, an axial bore `in said coreto receive alead,

a follower for'forcing the lead through the.

' ,bore embodying an 'exteriorly threaded head, r a magazine comprisingshell-like members arranged to lie upon opposite sides ofsaid head, saidhead having central curved portions struck from an archaving its centerat" the center of the chambered-body, sald shell-like members havingtheir inner and outer walls struck u pon a similar curve,

said members having a sliding androtatable fit" in. said chamberedportion, a threaded surface-in .said chamber for receiving 'the threadson said headand means 'exteriorly of said sheathing for turning saidmagazine portion, substantially as described. l 9. Ina lead pencil ofthe class described,

, the combination-'of a shell forming a ,cha'm-v bered body, a corepiece in said body, an faxialv bore in said core adapted to receive alead, a follower for engaging and forcing the lead through said boreembodying a rectangular shaped head having a-threaded sol surface on twoopposed sides thereof, a-

' threaded surface 'forjreceiv-ingthe threads on said head, a' magazinefor extra leads comprising shelllike members arranged to lie uponopposite l sides of the interior of said body and spaced away from oneanother at the center of said in said chambered portion f having no'positive connection with said i shell-like members, and means exteriorlyof said sheathing for turning said magazine portions, substantially asdescribed.

' 'CHARLES R. KEERAN. Witnesses:

THOMAS A..BANNIN G, Jr., .HARRY S. G

